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Technology/Telecommunications

• Broadband Internet Access
• Satellite Home Viewers
• Internet Access Charges

Broadband Internet Access

We have all been witness to the unforeseen rate of growth characterizing the explosion of the Internet. Currently, many rural areas do not have access to broadband Internet service, creating a "digital divide" between areas with access and those without. Such division effects many aspects of community health, including economic growth, access to health and education information, and sustained viability in the marketplace. At present, only 2 percent of American households have access to high-speed Internet services due to Depression-era telecommunications regulations that preclude the deployment of high-speed Internet backbone facilities and many companies best suited to remedy this problem are prohibited from doing so.

I was a co-sponsor of H.R. 1542-the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act-which passed the House of Representatives on February 27, 2002. The measure seeks to repeal outdated telecommunications regulations that apply to high-speed data delivery services. Enactment of this bill will remove disincentives for local telephone companies to invest in needed network upgrades and allow for advanced data services in the most rural regions of the country. It is only through the construction of Internet backbone facilities and other technical infrastructure that Idahoans will remain competitive in the future. Businesses must be freed to locate in rural or under-served areas without concern for lost revenue incurred by residing in an area without high-speed service. Rural schools and libraries must be able to participate in distance learning programs in order to continue providing our children with every available resource for a functional education.

Satellite Home Viewers

As a result of a successful legal action taken by CBS and FOX against Primetime 24 in Miami, Florida in 1998, many customers who had illegally received distant network signals via satellite providers were in jeopardy of losing all network service secured through satellite service. A long-term agreement between broadcasters and satellite providers to address the problems raised by the legal challenge and the outdated provisions of the Satellite Home Viewers Act (SHVA) has finally been reached. Legislation codifying the agreement was included in the FY00 Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on November 29, 1999. The law now allows for satellite television companies to carry the same local broadcast affiliates (i.e. AMC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) that are routinely provided by their cable rivals. For the first time, satellite companies will be permitted to carry the signals of local network stations to customers within that market and customers who do not receive local broadcast signals may request and receive satellite television waivers.

I am pleased a long-term solution to the shortcomings of the SHVA has been achieved. These changes will protect the interests of Idaho's satellite customers, provide for enhanced cable competition, and ultimately update the SHVA to make it consistent with technological advancements.

Internet Access Charges

A false rumor concerning the United States Postal Service (USPS) is being circulated on Internet e-mail. The rumors allege that the USPS intends to implement a surcharge on e-mail to compensate for losses due to the Internet. One rendition claims that a 'Congressman Schnell' has introduced 'Bill 602P' allowing the federal government to impose a 5-cent surcharge on each e-mail message delivered over the Internet to be collected by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and then turned over to the Postal Service. No such legislation exists. In fact, no 'Congressman Schnell' exists. Moreover, "Bill 602P" is not even a proper label for proposed legislation in the House. The U.S. Postal Service has no authority to surcharge e-mail messages sent over the Internet, nor would it support such legislation.

Another rumor alleges Congress will be voting on legislation to impose fees on Internet e-mail. This rumor apparently stems from a 1997 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposal, which was overwhelmingly rejected. The proposal sought to require ISPs to pay local telephone companies for their equipment and facilities when providing Internet service. While the FCC requested public comment on this issue in December 1996, the FCC is not pursuing any action to impose per-minute usage charges on consumer access to ISPs. The FCC has decided to leave the existing rate structure in place and not establish rules allowing local telephone companies to impose per-minute charges on ISPs.

Such rumors about legislative and administrative proposals being considered by the US government are false. I am concerned with the negative impact any type of charges would have on the ability of Americans to communicate and access valuable information. In a rural state like Idaho, access to the Internet ensures that people are able to secure information in a cost-effective manner. I strongly oppose imposing surcharges or adding taxes for using e-mail or the Internet and will continue to oppose any regulations that seek to change the way customers obtain and pay for Internet services.

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